Robin Beck

Mama Guhoji, Iyo-bo Nitcho, and Toki Jonin

Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji
Life and legends of Nichiren:
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267

The village of Mama, like Nakayama, is now part of modern Ichikawa City in Chiba Prefecture. It is on the east side of the Edogawa River, about 10 miles east of central Tokyo. In the famous print "Maple Trees at Mama, Tekona Shrine and Linked Bridge," the view of Ando Hiroshige is from the Nichiren temple Mama Guhoji.

*Mama Guhoji
*Mamasan Guhouji
*Jonassanhananotera.or
* Nichiren Temples
*Ichikawa Shrines

According to various sources, Toki Jonin's first wife, who was an elder sister of Ota Jomyo, had passed away. Toki was subsequently remaried, to a widow named Myojo; who was from Omosu Village in Fuji District of Suruga Province. Some sources indicate that Myojo had two sons by her deceased husband, Lord Iyo; and Toki Jonin adopted both of them. According to other sources, the younger brother was the natural born son of Toki Jonin.

The oldest step-son was an acolyte at Guhoji {Koubou-ji; Guboji}, a Tendai Temple, at the Village of Mama in Shimosa {Shimousa; Shimofusa} Province. In 1266, he became Nichiren's disciple Iyo-bo {or Iyo-ko}. Nichiren would later give him the name Nitcho. Thus he is known as Iyo-bo Nitcho (1252-1317).

The younger brother would later become Niko's disciple at Mobara. He was given the name Jakusen-bo Nitcho. Iyo-bo Nitcho (1252-1317) and Jakusen-bo Nitcho (1262-1310) are often confused.

In 1277, Mama Guhoji, while still a nominal Tendai Temple, would be {unofficially} converted to Nichren's Hokke Shu. Sources vary a bit on exactly how this happened: "Nitcho won a debate with the chief priest of Guboji Temple and shortly after took over the temple." {Ryuei}

But, according to Taisekiji:

" [Toki Jonin] successfully refuted Ryosho, the chief priest of Guho-Ji Temple of the Tendai sect, in a Buddhist debate. Ryosho retreated into hiding and Toki Jonin took over and managed the Temple. He ... invited Iyo-bo Nitcho to become chief priest." -- The Doctrines and Practice of Nichiren Shoshu, Chapter 67.

Holte's take:

" ... in 1278, Nitcho won a debate with the chief priest of Guboji Temple (by some accounts with the help of his step-father) and shortly after took over that temple. At the time, Nichiren Buddhism was not a recognized sect, so Guboji Temple remained nominally a Tendai temple. Indeed all the temples in the Nichiren school control were nominally related to Tendai." -- Nitcho Shonin

Then in 1279, during the Atsuhara Persecutions, the disciples Shimotsuke-bo Nisshu [{12??-1329}; received Gohonzon #105] and Echigo Nichiben {1239-1311} were smuggled to Guho-ji Temple, at Mama in Shimousa Province, and placed under the protection of Toki Jonin and Iyo-bo Nitcho.

More on Iyo-bo Nitcho

Iyo-bo Nitcho (1252-1317) was named one of Nichiren's Six Major Clerical Successors {Roku-ruso}. That was in October of 1282. Sources conflict on what became of him after that, from 1283-1302.

Senchu Murano wrote: "Nitcho tried to approach the Kamakura Government for remonstrance in 1291. To this end, he also requested a public debate with a priest of the Jodo Sect in 1292. Nitcho's aggressive attitude seemed to displease Toki Tsunenobu. Nitcho left Guhôji in 1292, and returned to his home town, Omosu, which was near Fuji, Ueno, where Nikko had already founded Taisekiji Temple in 1290. He joined Nikko and helped him found Honmonji Temple at Omosu ..." -- from The Manual of Nichiren Buddhism.

The SGI version: "After Nichiren's death, Nitcho failed to appear for his turn in the rotation system for attending to Nichiren's tomb, and for this Toki Jonin disowned him. In 1291 he declared himself a priest of the Tendai school and disassociated himself from Nichiren's teaching. In 1302, however, he returned to serve Nikko at Omosu." -- from The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism

I have even read speculation that Iyo-bo Nitcho contracted leprosy and went into seclusion. Or that he may have missed Nichiren's funeral and his Minobu duty because he was drafted to serve in the milatary defense against the Mongolian Invasions.

Reliable sources indicate that Nitcho was in Omosu by 1302, and built a Temple near there, called Shorin-ji {Shao-lin}, in March in 1303. It is unclear when he moved there, and how involved he was with Omosu/Kitayama Honmon-ji or the adjacent Omosu Dansho {Seminary}.

Treasures of Mobara Sogenji

Nichiren in Kazusa; Niko & Mobara
Nichiren and Mobara Sogenji Temple
Life and legends of Nichiren
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267

Shaka & Kannon Statues

Both of these appear to date from the Edo Era. The stone Shakyamuni Buddha is standing in Namaste -- hands in the Namaskara or Gassho Mudra. This gesture is a form of the Anjali Mudra {palms together}; with the hands in front of the heart.

"The hands held in union signify the oneness of an apparently dual cosmos, the bringing together of spirit and matter, or the self-meeting the Self. It has been said that the right hand represents the higher nature or that, which is divine in us, while the left hand represents the lower, worldly nature." -- Namaste; Piers

Kosodate Kan'non is a feminine transformation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva; who is known as Kanjizai or Kanzeon {Kuan Shih Yin} in Japan. Kosodate Kan'non is believed to answer the prayers of women having difficulty conceiving children. She is one of the non-esoteric {Arya; Sho} forms of Juntei {Cundi} Kannon and closely related to Sung-Zi or Koyasu (Child-Giving) Kannon, Zibo Kannon, Jibo {Compassion} Kannon, Maria Kannon and the benevolent form of Kariteimo-Kishimojin.

For 'pix' & discussions of Kuan Yin related iconography and chanting meditation see ksyart · Kwan Shih Yin Art. All posts there must be approved and may not appear immediately.

Documents

It is said that Mobara Sogenji, aka "East Minobu," preserves original records from Minobu.

{Link: the Mobara City designated cultural assets}.

Mobara: "East Minobu"

This may be a reference to the "Oko Kikigaki," Niko's record of the Nichiren's sermons on the Lotus Sutra, which were delivered at Minobu in Kai Province between 1278 and 1280.

BTW, Chris Holte has made passing remarks about Niko sealing some Minobu archives in a cave at Mobara, but I can not find anything on that. Chris also mentions Ko-Moku Mondo Ki (Dialogue between Niko and Tenmoku), Niko's record of a debate that took place in 1299. {See Also Holte}

Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin

There appear to be at least three {3} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon{s} kept at Mobara Sogenji

Mandala #013 Dated July 25, 1274 (Bunei 11).LBIS link . 'Early' {Fine Brush Stroke; Emanation Buddhas ARE present} Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link.

Mandala #035 Dated April 1276 (Kenji 2). LBIS link. 'Early' {Fine Brush Stroke; Emanation Buddhas ARE present} Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link.

Mandala #061 Dated April 8, 1279 (Koan 2) LBIS link. 'Middle' {Fine Brush Stroke; Emanation Buddhas NOT present} Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style. This one appears to bear personal side notes.Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link.

Nichiren in Kazusa; Niko & Mobara

Nichiren and Mobara Sogenji Temple
Life and legends of Nichiren
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267

Kazusa was an old province of Boso Peninsula; located in the central part of Chiba prefecture. It bordered on Awa to the south and Shimosa to the north. Modern Mobara City is located in the east-central part of Chiba Prefecture, near the Pacific Ocean. Link to Mobara City Official Site

While travelling and propagating the Lotus Sutra in Kazusa Province, in 1264 or 1265, Nichiren visited the town of Mobara. There he met a Samurai who became a lay follower. This samurai had a talented 12 year old son, who was a Tendai Shu acolyte at Hieizan Enryakuji. After meeting Nichiren, the father brought his son home to become the Great Sage's disciple.

Nichiren would later give the young man the name Niko {one k]. Niko Shonin (1253-1314) would also become known as Minbu and Sado-bo. From what I gather, Niko and his father began spreading Nichiren's Hokke teachings in Kazusa Province. This was the beginning of what is now Sogenji {Sougenji} Temple at Mobara.

Mobara Sogenji Temple

Apparently, Sado-bo/Minbu Niko initially established Mobara Sogenji as Myokenji Temple, soon after Nichiren's passing in 1282. In October of 1282, Nichiren had named him as one of the Six Major Clerical Successors {Roku-ruso}.

Niko would later go to Mount Minobu, where he served as Chief Instructor {gakuto} of Kuon-ji, under Nikko {two k's} from circa 1285-1288. After Nikko {1246-1333}left Minobu in 1288, Niko {one k} became the official Abbot of Kuon-ji. He served in that capacity until retiring in 1313, and was succeeded by Nisshin.

See also Ryuei: Niko Shonin

Meanwhile, Niko also served as Abbot of Mobara Myokenji. After Niko's death, his disciple Nisshu succeeded him there. In November of 1591 {Tensho 19}, Ieyasu Tokugawa had the name of the Temple changed to Sogenji.

Jakusen-bo Nitcho

Jakusen-bo Nitcho (1262-1310) was a son or step-son of Toki Tsunenobu/Jonin {1216-1299}. At some point, Jakusen-bo became a disciple of Niko Shonin (1253-1314) at Mobara. Then, sometime, between 1292 and 1300, he went to Omosu in Suruga Province, where he became Nikko's {two k's} disciple. In 1300, Jakusen-bo Nitcho was named the first Chief Instructor {gakuto} at Omosu Dansho {Seminary}. He was also said to be a designated major disciple of Nikko Shonin {1246-1333} at Omosu/Kitayama Honmonji.

Jakusen-bo had an elder brother or half brother, Iyo-bo Nitcho (1252-1317), who served as Abbot of Mama Guhoji from circa 1277 until 1284{?}-1292{?}. Iyo-bo Nitcho was named one of Nichiren's Six Major Clerical Successors {Roku-ruso}, in October of 1282. Even scholars get Jakusen-bo Nitcho (1262-1310) and Iyo-bo Nitcho (1252-1317) confused.

Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji

Life and legends of Nichiren
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267

Following the Ambush at Komatsubara, it is thought that Nichiren took up residence at the Hokkedo, which was located on the Nakayama {then Wakamiya Village, Katsushika District, Shimousa Province} estate of the lay follower Toki [Tsunenobu] Jonin (1216-1299).

Toki Jonin was the head of a Gozoku {prominent family)} in Shimosa Province. He had built the Hokkedo for Nichiren after the Matsubagayatsu Persecution of August 1260. At that time {1260}, Nichiren stayed there for about six {6} months, and converted many residents of Shimousa to the Hokke Shu.

Among these converts were Ota Jomyo {Ota Kingo, Ota Saemon-no-jo} (1222-1283), who was head of another Wakamiya Gozoku; Akimoto Taro, and Soya Jiro Hyoe-no-jo Kyoshin {Kyoshin-bo, Horen Nichirai} (1224-1291). Around that time, Ota Jomyo had built the Jibutsu-do on his property.

After Nichiren's passing in 1282, Toki Jonin became the self ordained Hokke Shu Minister known as Nichijo. He expanded Hokkedo, and renamed it Hokke-ji. Toki Nichijo also established the Shogyo-den, to preserve Nichiren's writings known as Gosho {Sacred Letters} or Goibun {Sacred Doctrine}.

"Toki Jonin was entrusted with more than forty Gosho letters. They included such important writings as: "The Essentials of the Lotus Sutra" (Hokke shuyo sho), "On the Four Stages of Faith and the Five Stages of Practice" (Shinshin gohon sho), ... the Rissho Ankoku Ron, [and] "The True Object of Worship" (Kanjin no honzon sho) ..." from "The Doctrines and Practice of Nichiren Shoshu"

"the Nakayama lineage was actually founded by Toki Jonin, who ordained himself as Nichijo. Toki Jonin was also responsible for collecting as many of Nichiren's writings as he could for posterity. Many of them are still treasured at Nakayama Hokekyoji. I should also point out that the assertion that the other disciples of Nichiren "physically discarded some of the Daishonin's important writings" is totally baseless, and in fact all of Nichiren's writings were valued. Toki Jonin's efforts being an example of how they cherished Nichiren's teachings." -- Rev. Ryuei

It is said that Nichiren' blessed the Jibutsu-do circa 1265. Later, in 1278, Ota Jomyo became a Nyudo {Lay Cleric} and was named Myonichi. He would rename the Jibutsu-do as Hon-myo-j. Nichiko, a son of Jomyo, who became a Hokke Shu Minister in 1275, later served as Abbot of both Hokke-ji and Hon-myo-ji.

The two temples, Hokkedo/Hokke-ji and Jibutsu-do/Hon-myo-j, were united as Hokkekyo-ji in 1545.

Gosho attributed and/or written from Boso Hanto 1264-1267

Encouragement to a Sick Person {Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro dono gosho} Written to Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro on 13 December 1264 {"A-T,C"}

Opening the Eyes of Wooden and Painted Images Written in 1264

The Essence of the "Medicine King" Chapter {Yakuoubon tokui sho} Written to Ueno-ama Gozen in 1265 {A-T}

Conversation between a Sage and an Unenlightened Man Written in 1265 {B?}

The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra {Hokke daimoku sho} Written on 6 January 1266 {A-T}

Zenmui sho 1266 {A-T}

Reply to Hoshina Goro Taro -- Written to Hoshina Goro Taro on 5 December 1267

Links

Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple

HOKEKYO-JI TEMPLE

OHTA INARI DAIMYOJIN

Shochuzan Hokekyo-ji Temple

Life and legends of Nichiren At Boso Hanto 1264-1267
Soseino Amulet of 1264
Nichiren at Hanabusa 1264
Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji
Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji Treasures

Ambush at Komatsubara

Life and legends of Nichiren
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267 While staying at Hanabusa Renge-ji Temple in Awa-Saijo, Nichiren received an invitation from Kudo Yoshitaka, a lord of Awa-Amatsu. On November 11 1264, he and about ten {10} followers set out from Renge-j, en route to Amatsu Castle, for the meeting with with Yoshitaka.

The Saijo-Hanabusa area is west of the Greater Kominato Bay Area. The road to Amatsu took them through the southern part of the Tojo Village Area, which was controlled by Tojo Kagenobu. Somehow, Tojo Kagenobu had received advance word of the meeting, and laid in ambush, at a place called Pine Needle Glen {Komatsubara}. Perhaps Master Dozen-bo had told Dogi-bo Gisho, Enchi-bo, Kanchi-bo, or Jitsujo-bo of Nichiren's plans, who then relayed them on to Kagenobu?

At any rate, when Nichiren's Party arrived at Komatsubara, they were greeted by Tojo and 100 or so men. Tojo's men were heavily armed with bows, arrows, and swords; some were on horse back. Nichiren and his Hokke group were on foot and unarmed.

It was nearing dusk, around 5:00 PM, when Tojo's men launched the surprise attack, by raining arrows down on the small band of Lotus Sutra devotees. The disciple Kyonin-bo tried to protect Nichiren, but was pierced by an arrow to the heart, and perished. Another of Nichiren's disciple's, name unknown, suffered what would prove to be a fatal injury.

Tojo, who was on horseback, charged at Nichiren, with his sword raised. Nichiren, with palms together, chanted Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo - Jo Hon Dai Ichi , and raised his rosary to defend himself. By some accounts, the rosary broke Tojo's sword. Nichiren suffered a four {4} inch gash to the forehead. When Tojo tried to make another pass, the Buddhist Deity Kishimojin, in her fierce or wrathful 'troll' form, appeared before him, causing the Steward to fall from his horse.

Meanwhile Kudo Yoshitaka, a Lotus Sutra devotee himself, had been alerted to the attack. Yoshitaka quickly gathered his own warriors and rushed to the scene. A bloody battle ensued. Yoshitaka suffered a mortal wound. In addition to the wound on his forehead; which left a 4" scar, Nichiren's left hand bone was broken. The appearance of Wrathful or fierce form of Kishimo had frightened away Tojo's warriors, allowing Nichiren and his group to escape.

They took temporary refuge at a place called "Snow Mountain Cave." A Nun, clad in white and carrying a rosary, happened by. She placed a cloth hat, stuffed with swathing, on Nichiren's head, to stop the bleeding, and went on her way. "In Nichiren Shu Temples on November 11th a small cotton bandage is placed onto the statue of Nichiren Shonin in remembrance of this persecution. The bandage is left until the spring when Nichiren Shonin's wounds were healed." ~~ Reverend Ryuoh

It is said that Tojo Kagenobu died within a few days, from fever.

Three days later Dozen-bo, accompanied by Joken-bo, again met Nichiren at Renge-ji temple in Hanabusa. Of this meeting, Nichiren would write ... "in the first year of the Bun'ei era (1264), on the fourteenth day of the eleventh month, I met with him [Dozen-bo] at the priests' lodgings of Hanabusa in Saijo. ... I had already warned Dozen-bo's elder brother, the priest Dogi-bo Gisho, that he was destined to fall into the hell of incessant suffering if he did not change his ways, and they say that his death was far worse than what he had hoped. When I considered that my teacher Dozen-bo might meet a similar fate, I was filled with metta & deep compassion{jihi} ..." from The Tripitaka Master Shan-wu-wei {not authenticated, probably "B" }, written 1270 at Matsubagayatsu {Myoho-ji} in Kamakura, to Joken-bo and Gijo-bo.

A month later, Nichiren would write, "This year, too, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, between the hours of the monkey and the cock on the highway called Matsubara in Tojo in the province of Awa, I was ambushed by several hundred Nembutsu believers and others. I was alone except for about ten men accompanying me, only three or four of whom were capable of offering any resistance at all."

"Arrows fell on us like rain, and swords descended like lightning. One of my disciples was slain in a matter of a moment, and two others were gravely wounded. I myself sustained cuts and blows, and it seemed that I was doomed. Yet, for some reason, my attackers failed to kill me; thus I have survived until now." -- from Encouragement to a Sick Person, {"A-T,C"} written December 1264, to Nanjo Hyoe Shichiro, the steward of Ueno Village in Fuji District of Suruga Province, and Nanjo Tokimitsu's father.

The Komatsubara Persecution {Komatsubara-no-honan} is also known as the "Tojo Persecution." Nichiryu, a son of Yoshitaka Kudo's and Nichiren's disciple founded Kyoninji Temple on March 5, 1281. Temple Treasures include the Tokidono Gosho, the prayer beads which protected Nichiren from the sword, and Kyoninbo's blood stained robe.

PILGRIMAGE 2006 Kyonin Ji

Komatsubara-zan Kyoninji Temple

Life and legends of Nichiren At Boso Hanto 1264-1267

Soseino Amulet of 1264
Nichiren at Hanabusa 1264
Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji
Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji Treasures

Nichiren at Hanabusa 1264

Life and legends of Nichiren
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267

Sometime between mid-1263 and the Autumn of 1264, Nichiren returned to his home province of Awa, for the first time in nearly a dozen years. He and some followers took up residence at Renge-Ji Temple in Hanabusa.

According to a legend, in August of 1264, there was an endemic disease spreading in Kominato. It is said that Nichiren wrote phrases from the Lotus Sutra on a stone, which he then dropped in a well. Ailing people who drank from the well were quickly healed. He also wrote the Daimoku on a piece of cloth, and had a fisherman hang it on his boat, to spread the healing daimoku waves along the beach. It is said that the public health crisis soon susbsided.

On other occasions Nichiren would face the bay and chant Namu Myoho Renge kyo. The characters of the Daimoku would appear on the waves, and red sea breams would gather to consume them. The bay is now off-limits to fishing; because it is considered a Buddhist holy ground. A non-migratory population of Tai fish remain year round.

Factoid "The red porgy or sea bream, Chrysophrys (Pugrus) major, known in Japan as the "tai" or "madai" is in great demand since it is the traditional fish served at celebrations. -- MARINE FISH CULTURE IN JAPAN"

In September of 1264, Dozen-bo, Nichiren's aging teacher, met with him at Renge-Ji Temple. Around that time, Nichiren had scheduled a November visit with Kudo Yoshitaka, the Lord of Amatsu, at Amatsu Castle. When Dozen-bo returned to Seicho-ji, Tojo Kagenobu, the Steward of Tojo Village, was able to learn of Nichiren's plans.

As I alluded to in the last entry, Kagenobu, the Feudal Steward of Tojo District, had a long held grudge against Nichiren. This might have dated back to before the Rikkyo Declaration of 1253, to the time when Rencho {Nichiren} was a student Monk at Seichoji, the Hachiman Shrine-Temple Complex in Kamakura, and/or Hieizan Enryakuji. It may have related to Kagenobu's efforts to take over Seichoji Temple from the Nun Oama, the widow of Hojo Tomotoki {1193-1245}.

The Lady Oama, who had been friends with Nichiren's family since before he was born, apparently came from an 'old money' family. Her domain had likely included the Tendai-Hokke Renge-ji Temple at Hanabusa, and the Ise Shrine-Temple at Tojo Village. At some point, Tojo Village become a District and Kagenobu likely gained control of the Tojo branch of the Ise Shrine. Nichiren evidently helped Oama thwart Kagenobu's machinizations.

Of this, Nichiren would later write, The villainous Tojo Saemon Kagenobu once hunted the deer and other animals kept by Seicho-ji, and tried to force the priests in the various lodging temples to become Nembutsu believers. At that time I pitted myself against Tojo and supported the lord of the manor. I composed a fervent oath that read, "If the two temples Kiyosumi and Futama should come into Tojo's possession, I will discard the Lotus Sutra!" Then I tied it to the hand of the object of devotion, to which I prayed continuously. Within a year, both temples had been freed from Tojo's grasp." -- Letter to the Priests of Seicho-ji {A-U, 01-11-1276}.

Some think that Seichoji was subsequently divided into Tendai-Hokke and Nembutsu factions. The former, which included Nichiren, Joken-bo, and Gijo-bo, supported Oama. The latter, which supported Kagenobu, may have included Master Dozen-bo; certainly his elder brother Dogi-bo Gisho, as well as the Temple Abbot Enchi-bo, along with the monks Jitsujo and Kanchi-bo.

Of Dozen-bo, Nichiren would later write, "he was a timid man, and he could never bring himself to give up his position at the temple where he lived, Seicho-ji. Moreover, he was fearful of what Kagenobu, the steward of the region, might do if he gave ear to my teachings. ... at Seicho-ji he had to live in the midst of priests like Enchi and Jitsujo, who were as evil as Devadatta or Kokalika, and to put up with their intimidations, so that he became more fearful than ever. -- "On Repaying Debts of Gratitude

It appears that Hanabusa Renge-ji was solidly in Oama and Nichiren's camp. This may be why Nichiren and his followers stayed at Renge-ji.

The conflict between Nichiren and Tojo Kagenobu had first come to a head immediately after the Rikkyo Declaration of 1253. At that time, Nichiren delivered his First Sermon in the Hall of Seicho-Ji. He was scathingly critical of Honen's popular form of Amida Nembutsu, of which Tojo was a strong adherent. Kagenobu had become enraged, withdrew his sword, and tried to kill Nichiren on the spot. Nichiren barely managed to escape, with the help of Dozen-bo, Joken-bo and Gijo-bo. He holed up at the Renge-Ji Temple in Hanabusa; and later took a boat across Tokyo bay to Kamakura.

Tai-no-Ura bay

Life and legends of Nichiren At Boso Hanto 1264-1267
Soseino Amulet of 1264
Nichiren at Hanabusa 1264
Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji
Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji Treasures